Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25

Half buried in harsh, supple orchard.
grasses she sat, ripening peaches, gold
and red, between her and the sun that
drew out their spiciness TO mingle with
the scent OF the aftermath, while Fred
Wyckof sang her favorite song.
The "ccho of voice ~" True, round,
full, sweet beyond the telling, without a
lapse in timo or note, fraught with pas
sions as pure and tender as the incense
laden wind
go, my love my love !"
81 beg your pardon " said Uncle
Dick, startled and interrogative.
&c asked you to let Inc hear it again
please |" The head WINS still bent low.
Not 80 low in shame and remorse as the
bursting heart
"Sci mir gogrussti Sci mir pc
grusst :" rose and swelled and sank the
echo that would haunt her forever.
II guessed | should likely find You in
here, hobnobbing with Uncle Dick ! "
cbucklod MIR. Brown, walking IN with
the severe Assurance Of one who knows
himself to be the most welcome guest
that could break up tctc-d-fote.
With n smothered cry Huldah tossed
the light shawl from her shoulders over
the instrument, and throwing her palms
outward. as if striking at something he
could not see. she rushed past her wooer
He saw her no more that night, nor did
the merry-makers IN the great hall
Fleeing along the corridor and up the
/ stairs. still pursued by the something
/ Mr. Brown could not see, she gained her
room and locked the door. Still pur-
sued she paced the narrow confines,
wringing her hands and sobbing out in
+ coherent, lnsane-soundiug ordinations
"What have l done What have /
escaped?"
The air took voice about her; the echo
walled and entreatcd, close her ears
though she did.
".Sci mir grgrusst! Sci mir &C.
/ kusstl"
Should she ever hear it in her grave
I that cry from the eternal, memorable
Past she thought murdered and mOulder-
ing into dust?
Presently she checked walk and sobs
went down on her knees before her
trunk and sought for something in the
bottom. A small portfolio, much worn,
marked with her initials. She knew
what she should find in an inner pocket
said no more to herself that it had been
left there by accident
"Give me an Engligh translation"
she had ordered one day. "My German
is detective, yours perfect. Tell me what
our song means in my mother tongue %
The next morning she received the
paper she now opened. 1t was creased
with many reioldings, blurred by many
readings big blot marred the second
verse.
81 DIN not Il poet" said the accompa-
nylng note; "nor is the song easily
translatable ! have not pleased my
self in the result Of my effort. ! claim
nothing tor the verses beyond a certain
conscientious fidelity TO the original,
and that they were written in obedience
" Other tte'ap,rr,.blotSppeared on the sheet
as she read:
go my departed love, take thou my greeting,
] q ofecf N e aoro ? Tkiss thee n0ir p
Ny love eternal stands, though VOWS are neeiing,
/ q qrccf M. notrl / kiss thee nOio D
ThOu boy the hand Of love TO me vast given,
And from this breast thou hast been torn
T No power shall stay our meeting,
/ Qgroet thee nolc' k'ss uee no@D
In spite OF distance which with sullen menace,
Stands between me aud tnee, my love,
/ The Will Of Jealous fatc defeating.
4 greet thee now kiss 'hee nowl
/ As NJ The sprlngtine OF holy love you met me,
And glowing hearts were melted inio one,
] My yohrning heart thoso fearful VOWS repeat
81 greet thee now! kiss thee nowi"
With but one breath Of love, time. space, are
surdorcd,
J am with tLce, thou art with me.
/ My eager heart On thine again Il beating,
greet thee now Kiss thee now
Mr. Brown found letter on his bureau
when he went up TO bed, somewhat puz-
zled by Huldah's manner of departure
aud her nOn-appearance ON the gay
scene, but seemingly complacent IN the
consciousness Of ms own dues at the
hand of Fate. He received at breakfast
time on the morrow telegram recalling
him to Washington
To avert gossip Huldah accepted seat
in the carriage that took him to the sta
ton. Uncle Dick sat on the front seat
and acted as driver:
81 have treated you badly" said the
girl, peniteutly, TO her rejected sutton
IL cutie agree with You, was the curt
reply. But / have had my lesson. Next
time shall make sure OF my ground he
fore committing myself TO formal pro-
posal." ..
Regret, compassion. even bruised self
respect gave way with Huldah before q
rush of amusement"
"That is sensible and philosophic.
Let me wish you peter fortune with a
better woman next timer
THANK You still as sour and cold
rs a frost-bitten crabappie.
81 don't admire that type OF the sue
cessful Man." Uncle Dick surprised Hui
dan by saying as Mr.. Samuel Brown,
after brief leayetakngs, hustled into the
station 10 get bis ticket and check.
am glad you are not going to marry
him.
How DO you know that am not"
a. heard you laugh out suddenly and
heartily lust now in way not common
with girls whose lovers leave them on
the day before Christmas. J needed no
other evidence. II l did, Your face sup
plies 1t. " -
He turned in bis seat while they talk
ed. his round poll rising above white
throat whiskoTs like the knob on top OF
pup.p above a snow-wreath. The girl
was dear9r to him than any other human
thing.
Uncle Dick !" impulsively. 81 called
YOU wizard last night | know now
that you were my angel-unawares
Which means in this instance, that you
did me a great good without guessing
what YOU were about But for you
should have married Mr.. Brown and
been wretched-o or wicked-may be both,
forever after. You may well look mysti- |
fed. but can't enlighten you further
Only-if | dared, ! would throw my
arms around your neck and kiss you here
and now am so grateful ! "
IL dontin the least comprehend---"
"Of course you don't That isntt the
worst part of it, you blessed cherub ! 1t
is beginning TO sno%--Christmes snow
What are we waiting for ?"
81 am expecting friend on the north |
ern train. Didn't tellyou All l see